Buddleja 'Blue Chip Jr' is a hybrid derived from Buddleja 'Blue Chip' in the plant breeding program of Dr. Dennis Werner of North Carolina State University in 2009. It is an alternative to 'Blue Chip' with many of the same characteristics but is considered by many to be an improved variety due to its more compact and symmetrical shape, consistent rich blue color, silver-green foliage, earlier flowering, and stronger stems. It is the earliest to bloom of all the Lo & Behold series. ' Blue Chip Jr ' grows in average, well-drained soils in full sun. It may become weedy with diminished flowering if not grown in full sun. Like all Buddleja, it requires moderate moisture and may suffer from root rot if the soil is consistently wet. When planted in clay soil, the soil should be amended with compost and the base of the plant should be planted slightly above ground level. It is drought tolerant once established. It should be watered occasionally, more in extreme heat or when grown in containers. 'Blue Chip Jr' is winter hardy but may die back to the ground in colder zones and resume growth from the crown the following spring. In regions where above-ground shoots survive over winter, pruning to the ground in late winter when new leaves appear at the base will produce more vigorous growth in the spring, give the plant a better shape, and produce more flowers. Deadheading encourages additional blooms but is not otherwise necessary. The plants produce few seeds and infrequently sucker in the garden. This non-invasive variety is approved for sale in Oregon and Washington. More information on Buddleja Lo & Behold® Group .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withBuddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip'
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip'Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Lilac Chip'Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Pink Micro Chip'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Multi-stemmed; Rounded; Spreading
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
This plant has elliptic leaves that are gray/ green. The leaves are slightly more rounded than 'Blue Chip'.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Spike
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
These flowers bloom continuously all summer and until the first frost with showy blue fragrant flowers in spike-like terminal and axillary clusters. It does not require deadheading. It works well as a cut flower.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
This cultivar produces a very small number of seed heads, allowing the plant a longer bloom time and removing the need to deadhead blooms.
Stem color
Cream/Tan
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Sandhills Research Station at Jackson Springs, NC
Wildlife value
This plant attracts butterflies and other pollinators seeking nectar.